Aseza Hele Marks 33rd Test with Commanding Springbok Women Win

Few in the Springbok Women squad were as pleased as Aseza Hele after she made a successful return to the Test arena, where South Africa delivered a commanding performance to beat the Fijiana XV 55-12 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

For Hele, who played in her 33rd Test, the return to the green and gold after injury felt as good as her international debut in 2018. rouesnews.click

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She last played for South Africa at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England almost a year ago and missed the early part of the season because of a hand injury that required surgery.

Now back to her best, the Hermanus-based loose forward cannot wait for the second Test this weekend at Churchill Park in Lautoka, where kick-off is scheduled for 03h00 SAST on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

“Yes, it was great being out there again.”

Springbok Women No. 8, Aseza Hele

“Coming back from rehabilitation, one is not always hundred per cent sure how the body will react in a match situation. So I was pleased the way it went, given that I did not play for a while,” Hele said from Nadi, where the Springbok Women are based for the week.

“Once the match started, I felt really comfortable and I could just focus on doing my job out there, which was great. It felt great to get back in the physical part of the game and I felt like I was myself again, so very happy with that aspect of it.”

Hele carried 16 times and made 127 metres, and her physicality was a menace to the Fijian defence.

“My fitness and conditioning was good – in these type of games you need to be at your best when it comes to fitness, so I am very happy the way it played out. There were some nerves at the beginning, but that is normal,” she said.

Hele was one of several players who did not start in the home series against the USA last month, and she could relate to those starting for the first time in a while.

“I was happy for those who started for the first time in a while to be given that opportunity as they could step up and show what they are capable of and they did. From a personal point of view, I just went out there to make sure I fulfil my role to the best of my abilities,” she said.

Hele expects the second Test to be as challenging as the first.

“It was tough out there, the wind was quite strong at times and when you play Fiji, you need to expect the unexpected,” she said. “The crowd also goes wild when they have the ball, you can hear the noise going up and the pressure building from the crowd when they are in possession.

“It was most pleasing though that we executed our plays very well, we stuck to our guns and did not allow them to dictate matters. We came into this match well prepared, we worked hard back home and came here with good clarity on what we wanted to achieve. From that perspective, we really did well.”

The Test at Churchill Park will bring new challenges, she warned. “We know they will come back stronger. But that is good for us too, as we respond well to pressure. We also gained confidence from our own performances and we saw our hard work being rewarded. We stuck to our system and the system rewarded us.”

Hele played in the only previous meeting between the two teams, a gut-wrenching defeat at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, when Fiji scored in the final play of the match to snatch the win.

“We have buried that one now,” she said. “That defeat in New Zealand was still hurting and with this performance, we buried that for good.”

Another feature of Hele’s play also came through in Suva, playing with a smile. She had good reason to do so. “You don’t know how much you will miss that jersey until it happens, but I just realised it again,” said Hele.

“To be back in the team made the rehab worth the while. The mental side of the rehab is always the toughest. Patience is often a virtue as sometimes rehab has its ups and downs and for me it is 90% mental, 10% physical. So I am very pleased that I could be back doing what I love, playing for my country and inspiring others.”

The team for the second Test will be named on Wednesday. The squad will be without Lerato Makua and Eloise Webb, who picked up injuries last week, but could be bolstered by the return of team captain Babalwa Latsha.

The Fijiana XV vs. Springbok Women Test Series 2026

Sat 8 August, 04h00: Fijiana XV 12-55 Springbok Women (HFC Bank Stadium, Suva)
Sat 15 August, 03h00: Fijiana XV vs. Springbok Women (Churchill Park, Lautoka)

All times CAT

Springbok Women Starting XV

15 Byrhandré Dolf
14 Maceala Samboya
13 Zintle Mpupha
12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht
11 Patience Mokone
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Captain)
9 Anacadia Minnaar
8 Aseza Hele
7 Lerato Makua
6 Sizophila Solontsi
5 Nomsa Mokwai
4 Vainah Ubisi
3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki
2 Lindelwa Gwala
1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo

Replacements

16 Anushka Groenewald
17 Yonela Ngxingolo
18 Thandile Mazwi
19 Catha Jacobs
20 Sinelitha Noxeke
21 Nobuhle Mjwara
22 Felicia Jacobs
23 Alichia Arries

Fijiana XV Starting XV

15 Litiana Vueti
14 Adi Vani Buleki
13 Merewairita Neivoha
12 Ruth Raketekete
11 Repeka Tove
10 Varanisese Qoro
9 Kolora Lomani (Captain)
8 Alfreda Fisher
7 Adi Salaseini Railumu
6 Nunia Daunimoala
5 Karavaki Lutumaibau
4 Mereoni Nakesa
3 Tiana Robanakadavu
2 Bitila Tawake (Vice-Captain)
1 Karalaini Naisewa

Replacements

16 Selai Naliva
17 Elesi Saukuru
18 Keri Lawavou
19 Vilisi Tivalele
20 Jade Coates
21 Evivi Senikarivi
22 Ivamere Nabura
23 Aqela Raitubu

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Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Aseza Hele returned to the Test arena in her 33rd appearance as the Springbok Women opened their historic first tour of Fiji with a commanding 55-12 victory over the Fijiana XV at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Fiji on Saturday, 8 August 2026. All Photos: Gallo Images / SA Rugby

Photo 2 Caption: The Hermanus-based loose forward returned to the green and gold for the first time since the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England last year.

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso heaped praise on Sphelele Mkhulise after his late brace sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over TS Galaxy in a Betway Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.

The pint-sized midfielder has been used sparingly by Cardoso during his time in charge of the Brazilians, but he delivered arguably his best performance in a Sundowns jersey in a long time against The Rockets.

The 30-year-old came on for Gomolemo Kekana after the hour mark, with the score tied at 1-1. Galaxy took the lead with 13 minutes remaining and looked set to claim yet another famous victory.

However, Mkhulise popped up with two late goals as Sundowns snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a five-goal thriller on a cold night in Mpumalanga.

“It was beautiful to see Pitso (Mkhulise) score two goals coming from the bench,” Cardoso said.

“He deserves all the luck in the world. Not only is he a fantastic player but he is also a fantastic boy. Today I even carried him on my shoulders in front of the supporters.

“It was to make him understand that we love him. He carried us during the match and we carried him in the end to salute him and I’m so proud.”

Cardoso is encouraged by the positive start to their league campaign after Sundowns narrowly lost the title to Orlando Pirates last season.

“It’s our intention to fight the best as we can and have the maximum commitment possible for this league,” he added.

“It’s not because we lost it (league) before but it’s our ambition to dominate South African football, so we have to do it because of the history of the club.”

The win over Galaxy came days after Masandawana knocked Polokwane City out of the MTN8 quarter-finals after extra-time, where they needed a late goal to seal another 3-2 win.

Although Cardoso is happy with his team’s spirit following back-to-back wins in their first two matches, he wants to tighten up at the back after conceding four goals in two matches.

“Unfortunately, in the last two games we conceded two goals from two shots. It’s not something that makes me happy and we have to correct it as a group and as a team,” the Portuguese coach concluded.

“We have to reduce the number of goals because we’re also not going to score three every time. When you concede two goals, you also have a high risk of losing points.

“We cannot lose points regularly because it will become a problem but at the moment, two games and two victories, so we need to get the energy from there and grow the victories.”

Mitchell Marsh, Joe Root, Sam Curran and Phil Salt will feature in Betway SA20 Season 5 after all six franchises confirmed their retained and pre-signed players.

Most teams have kept the core of their squads, leaving 19 places available at the auction on 7 October 2026.

The new season starts at St George’s Park on 17 January 2027. Newlands will host the final on 21 February.

Mitchell Marsh joins Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Former Australia captain Mitchell Marsh will make his SA20 debut for three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

The ICC T20 World Cup winner has played 88 T20 internationals. He joins 2026 Betway Player of the Season Quinton de Kock in the Eastern Cape squad.

Marsh’s first appearance could come when Sunrisers host Pretoria Capitals at St George’s Park on 17 January.

“Season 5 is shaping up to be our strongest yet,” Betway SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, said. “Bringing in a player of Mitchell Marsh’s calibre alongside the class of Joe Root, Sam Curran and Phil Salt shows the growing pull of our league on the global stage. What excites me most is seeing that quality sit alongside the prime of South Africa’s international and domestic stars.”

Phil Salt returns to Pretoria Capitals

Phil Salt will return to Pretoria Capitals after representing the franchise during the first two SA20 seasons.

Australian batter Matthew Short will make his tournament debut for the Capitals.

The Pretoria squad also includes Sherfane Rutherford, Dewald Brevis and Proteas T20I Player of the Year Lungi Ngidi.

Rutherford returns after his power-hitting performances during Season 4.

Joe Root returns to Paarl Royals

England batter Joe Root will play a second season with Paarl Royals.

Root’s return gives the Royals an experienced international player before the remaining auction places are filled.

The confirmed information did not include further details about Paarl Royals’ retained or pre-signed squad.

Sam Curran signs for Durban’s Super Giants

England all-rounder Sam Curran has joined Durban’s Super Giants.

He will play alongside Aiden Markram, Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine and Heinrich Klaasen.

Curran adds another bowling option to a squad containing several established international players.

Will Jacks and Jason Holder secure new teams

MI Cape Town has signed England all-rounder Will Jacks.

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder will join Joburg Super Kings, where he will play alongside Akeal Hosein.

Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town each have six vacancies, making them the busiest franchises heading into the auction.

Only 19 auction places remain

The six franchises have retained most of their existing squads while maintaining a strong South African presence.

“The franchises head into the Auction with the majority of their squads already locked in, which speaks volumes about the stability and consistency we have built. This sets us up for a highly competitive Season 5,” Smith concluded.

The remaining 19 places will be filled at the auction on 7 October.

SA20 Season 5 dates

Auction: 7 October 2026

Opening match: 17 January 2027 at St George’s Park

Final: 21 February 2027 at Newlands

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Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned his strikers that they need to come to the party as he targets Caf Champions League success in the new season.

Pirates’ solid start

Pirates have got off to a winning start to the new campaign, beating Milford FC in the Premiership and Durban City in the MTN8.

They needed extra time to beat City in a 2-1 victory, however and have yet to really spark in attack.

Ouaddou is clearly determined for his side not to rest on their laurels after winning the Premiership last season to complete a domestic treble.

Their one major disappointment last season was getting knocked out by FC St Eloi Lupopo in the final qualifying round for the Champions League group stages.

“We don’t have to forget that this season is very important for us,” Ouaddou told reporters after Thapelo Mokobodi’s last minute extra time penalty had secured the win over Durban City.

“It’s very, very important, we must confirm what we did last season. But more than that, there is another competition that we failed last season and for me, it’s a really big, big target. So I need my strikers to wake up quickly to help the team.”

Pirates’ next match comes this evening in the Premiership away to AmaZulu.

It remains to be seen if Norwegian striker Sebastian Petersen is available to make his Pirates debut against Usuthu.

Pictures coming out of the Pirates camp, however did show Pedersen training with his teammates. It does seem like the Buccaneers could do with the help of the 27-year-old centre forward, especially with Evidence Makgopa looking set to be out injured for some time.

Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu won their first league game of the season at Stellenbosch but lost a topsy-turvy MTN8 quarterfinal 4-3 at home to Sekhukhune on Sunday.

Zwane – “We’ve got to redeem ourselves’

“Now we have Pirates, we’ve got to redeem ourselves,” Zwane told SuperSport TV after the loss to Babina Noko.

“It’s not going to be an easy one, and we’re playing against a Pirates team that won at the weekend.

“So we’ve got to make sure that now the players do the right things in terms of recovery, and they eat well and drink a lot of water, so that they can be fully recovered when the time comes.”

“We conceded four goals. It’s unlike us. We are not a team that does that easily, you know, conceding goals like this. And yeah, hopefully we will learn from this one and rectify those mistakes.”

Eathan Bosch hammered 33 from only 10 deliveries as Middlesex beat Sussex by 92 runs in the One-Day Cup.

Bosch struck one four and four sixes during his late assault, helping Middlesex reach 354-8. The all-rounder also took two catches and conceded 30 runs from six overs.

Kyle Verreynne finished unbeaten on 57 from 46 balls as Nottinghamshire chased down Surrey’s 298 with 13 deliveries remaining. The Proteas wicketkeeper struck five fours and a six, having earlier completed a catch behind the stumps.

Johannesburg-born Adam Thomas made 43 from 44 balls for Surrey and conceded only 13 runs from three overs.

READ: Rickelton cameo in vain against Super Giants

Beyers Swanepoel claimed 2-43 and scored 16 as Worcestershire beat Durham by 77 runs. He dismissed fellow South Africans David Bedingham for 17 and Colin Ackermann for eight.

Elsewhere, Kyle Abbott returned with figures of 0-43 before hitting 18 from 12 balls in Hampshire’s eight-run defeat to Derbyshire.

Migael Pretorius took 2-78 and made 11 as Somerset lost to Lancashire, while Marchant de Lange claimed 1-47 in Gloucestershire’s three-wicket win over Northamptonshire.

Simon Harmer finished with 1-26 as Essex suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Yorkshire.

Photo: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

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